Customer Track Maintenance Guide
Winter Safety
Safety is of the utmost importance at MRL, not only for our employees but also for you, our customers.
We’ve developed this Customer Track Maintenance Guide in order to help bring attention to the additional hazards that are present during the winter months, especially for our crews performing switching activities.
Winter is a challenging time for a railroad; many of the service disruptions are caused by accumulations of snow and ice. On the track, problems with switches and crossings are mainly caused by fresh and or blowing and drifting snow — so clearing the snow solves the problem.
Our goal is to move your products as quickly and safely as possible.
Please contact your Sales and Marketing Manager or local Trainmaster if you have any questions.
To inquire about obtaining an exhibit that defines the limits of responsibility for your track maintenance, click here.
Flangeways
Be particularly vigilant where flangeways can be become contaminated with snow, ice, or other material, or where any trackage is covered by excessive amounts of snow or ice, or other material. Ensure equipment can be carefully operated through flangeway over such track.
Be especially aware at crossings, as these are prone to these types of conditions.
At a minimum, flangeways must be cleared to a depth of 1.5”.
Switches
Be aware that switches can become very difficult to line due to cold weather and snow/ice build-up in the switch points. Attempting to line a stiff switch can and does lead to back, leg and arm injuries. Proper switch maintenance prior to the winter season can reduce this risk.
Although MRL is responsible for the maintenance of switches on the main line, crews cannot properly service a customer if they cannot line the switches within their facility.
Best industry practices are to have switches and derails “eyed out”. This means that the areas under the switch points and/or derails, are free of materials in between the ties and approx. 5 inches below the base of the rail.
The switch lubricant we recommend is Glidex from Midwest Industries.
Derails
Derails can be buried under snow and must be cleared so train crews can find them. All derails must be properly identified by a sign (as pictured).
Keep in mind that these derails need space to open. A derail, unable to completely open, will sit high and this situation will cause damage and, in some cases, even a derailment.
Walking Conditions
Everyone is more at risk of injury due to icy conditions. Please ensure icy walkways, particularly trackside, are sanded and/or salted to help crews operating on your property. Also be aware of debris and material that can pose tripping hazards, especially when obscured by fresh and/or blowing and drifting snow.
It is imperative that the areas be cleared trackside by 4-5 ft from the outside of either rail, to allow for safe walking and proper inspection of the cars by train crews prior to movement.
MRL Tracks
The diagram and explanations show the levels of permission required for certain proximities to the track.

Black Zone
No machinery, persons, equipment or parts of equipment are permitted within the 8-foot lateral clearance and the 22-foot vertical clearance envelope. Any violation creates a restricted clearance that is hazardous to MRL and customer employees. Notify MRL immediately of:
- Any situation that causes an obstruction in this zone,
- Movement or change of track-side loading platforms or ramps, unloading augers and other equipment
Red Zone
With written permission and protection from MRL, machinery and equipment can be operated between 8 and 12 feet from the center of the rail, on either side of MRL track. This zone has no vertical limit – any work over the track must be approved. One week advance notice is required. Contact the MRL main office for permission and to arrange protection.
Yellow Zone
If need be, temporary structures, materials and equipment can be between 12 and 25 feet from either side MRL track. To be in the “Yellow Zone” requires MRL permission and possibly flagging protection, if deemed necessary. This zone also has no vertical limit – any work over the track must be approved. Again, contact the MRL main office one week in advance.
Green Zone
Keep buildings, equipment, machinery and personnel more than 25 feet away from either rail at all times.
General Information
In case of any of the following contact your local MRL Trainmaster:
- Derailment of any railcar
- Equipment or materials within the main track or siding clearance distance (25ft. from nearest rail)
- Damage to any switch, derail, sign, rail or structure
- Any other condition or situation which might cause injury, damage or derailment
- In the case of a leak or suspected leak of any tank car or dangerous commodity on MRL property
Trainmasters Contacts
BILLINGS TRAINMASTERS
Bryan Tieszen
cell (406) 702-6211
ltrain@mtrail.com
David Newman
cell (406) 671-6816
ltrain@mtrail.com
LAUREL TERMINAL SUPERINTENDENTS
Jared Carman
cell (406) 210-8093
ltrain@mtrail.com
Sean Scanson
cell (406) 696-2360
ltrain@mtrail.com
LAUREL TRAINMASTERS
Jeff Carpenter
cell (406) 370-7296
ltrain@mtrail.com
Jeremy Langendorff
cell (406) 546-9917
ltrain@mtrail.com
Alec Swanson
cell (406) 591-2966
ltrain@mtrail.com
Max Medlin
cell (406) 200-0018
ltrain@mtrail.com
HELENA/LOGAN/LIVINGSTON/BOZEMAN TRAINMASTERS
Bobby Selby
cell (406) 459-3117
htrain@mtrail.com
Dewayne Schull
cell (406) 475-4679
htrain@mtrail.com
Greg Mallinger
cell (406) 498-6093
htrain@mtrail.com
MISSOULA TRAINMASTERS
Chris Moore
cell (406) 529-1484
mtrain@mtrail.com
Justin Bagley
cell (406) 830-6409
mtrain@mtrail.com
Emery Boyer
cell (406) 493-2686
mtrain@mtrail.com
Sales and Marketing Contacts
Mike McKay
mmckay@mtrail.com
(406) 523-1450
Phil Van Tassel
pvantassel@mtrail.com
(406) 523-1580
Real Estate Contacts
Montana City, MT to Huntley, MT
Theresa Beckwith
tbeckwith@mtrail.com
office (406) 523-1314
Manager Real Estate
Joe Gentri
jgentri@mtrail.com
office (406) 523-1374
Track Maintenance or Derailments within your facility? Contacts
Double R
(406) 945-2866
Neal Structural Repairs
(406) 847-4239
RJ Corman
(406) 670-6488